Governor DeWine Announces $85M in Federal Funding for New Appalachian Community Innovation Centers Program
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) today released official program guidelines for the $85 million Appalachian Community Innovation Centers program. K-12 school districts, joint vocational school districts, regional councils of government, or other political subdivisions located in the 32 Ohio Appalachian counties may apply for funding.
Eligible projects include new construction, renovation, or expansion of existing facilities that: support public education, deliver physical or behavioral healthcare services onsite to students and the public, and provide community access to job-related programming. To qualify, projects must demonstrate a significant impact in all three areas.
The application period for the Appalachian Community Innovation Centers Program starts today and ends March 21. OFCC staff will host a pre-application webinar on Feb. 12 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. to present the guidelines in detail and allow interested parties to ask questions. Click HERE for more information.
|
New OSAM Network Report Highlights Dangers of Xylazine
The Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring (OSAM) Network has issued a new report examining the dangers of Xylazine-adulterated drugs. Since January 2023, OSAM participants have increasingly expressed concern about xylazine. Crime lab reports to OSAM have noted xylazine as a cut for heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine, while OSAM participants also reported xylazine-cut methamphetamine. Among the 206 drug-related deaths involving xylazine recorded from January 2021-June 2023, 98.5 percent also involved fentanyl.
Click HERE to for more information about OSAM.
|
Public Comment Sought: SUD 1115 Demonstration Extension
The Ohio Department of Medicaid is seeking public comment on the proposed extension of Ohio’s SUD 1115 Demonstration Waiver prior to submission to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for review. The deadline to provide comment is March 2.
Click HERE for more information.
 ABH Staff Wears Red to Support Heart Health
On Feb. 2, staff from Appalachian Behavioral Healthcare in Athens wore red In support of American Heart Month and the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign. The annual National Wear Red Day seeks to save lives by raising awareness about efforts to eradicate heart disease and stroke. Click HERE to learn more about signs, symptoms, and risks of heart disease and stroke.
New Web Resource: NIAAA for Middle School
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has launched a new web resource, NIAAA for Middle School. This resource contains interactive activities to help parents, caregivers, and teachers of middle school students introduce and reinforce key messages about peer pressure, resistance skills, and other important topics related to underage drinking. This web resource replaces and continues the objectives of the long-standing and popular Cool Spot website, remaining grounded in the Alcohol Misuse Prevention Study (AMPS) from the University of Michigan.
NVMM Celebrates Black History Month
Throughout the month of February, the National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM) in downtown Columbus will observe Black HIstory Month by sharing the experiences, challenges and triumphs of Black American Veterans through their stories.
Special exhibits include:
The Role of African Americans in World War I
African American Heroism in World War II
Rally Point: A Conversation with Black Vetrepreneurs
NVMM Reads: "Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History"
Inspiring Story of Service: Serbennia Davis
Ohio Medicaid Behavioral Health Provider Webinar — Feb. 8
The Ohio Department of Medicaid is hosting a webinar on Feb. 8 at 2:00 p.m. for behavioral health providers to share announcements and reminders related to the Ohio Medicaid Enterprise System. Topics for this webinar were identified in collaboration with The Ohio Council for Behavioral Health and Family Services Providers and include information related to common behavioral health provider questions and how to access key resources.
Workshop on Advancing the Science on Peer Support and Suicide Prevention — Feb. 8 & 12
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is hosting a two-day Advancing the Science on Peer Support and Suicide Prevention virtual workshop on Feb. 8 and 12. The workshop brings together experts in peer support suicide prevention to discuss relevant conceptual frameworks, recent advances in understanding what works and for whom, service settings, and service-user characteristics that inform intervention strategies across the crisis services continuum, digital and telehealth applications, considerations for youth, and equity considerations. The workshop will identify innovative advancements and areas that need additional research as the field moves forward.
In order to attend both days of the workshop, please register for each day separately.
Center for Disability Empowerment — February Trainings
Navigating the Competency to Stand Trial System for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) — Feb. 15
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)-funded GAINS Center is hosting a Navigating the Competency to Stand Trial System for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) webinar on Feb. 15 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. The webinar will discuss considerations related to the IDD population regarding raising the question of competence, competency evaluations, and competence restoration processes. The presenter will provide information to help attorneys and other criminal justice professionals more appropriately distinguish between IDD and competency issues related to mental disorders and advocate for necessary supports for this population. This webinar will also present ways that competency restoration programs may be tailored for individuals with IDD to meet their specific needs.
|
Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Social Isolation — March 12
The Great Lakes Rural Opioid Technical Assistance Regional Center (ROTA-RC) will present Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Social Isolation on March 12 from 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Led by Dr. Alex Elswick, an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery at the University of Kentucky, this presentation will define loneliness and social isolation, describe social science trends with regard to loneliness, and explore strategies to increase pro-social activity. Certificates of attendance for continuing education contact hours will be available after the event. Questions? Please email Kelly Cabral, ROTA Project Director, at cabral.48@osu.edu.
Prevention Action Alliance — Upcoming Events
Presenters and Exhibitors Sought: 2024 School SUCCESS Conference
Ohio’s School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention and Early Intervention (SBCOE) located at Miami University is seeking proposals for speaker presentations and table exhibitors at the 2024 School SUCCESS Conference. This year’s in-person event, Prevention and Early Intervention-Answering the Call will be held June 24-26 in Columbus.
The conference planning committee is currently seeking presentations connected to the following areas: behavioral health & wellness coordinator models, community partnerships and afterschool engagements, family & youth engagement, school-based or afterschool prevention programming, staff wellness, stigma reduction, suicide prevention and postvention support, supporting diverse students, and threat reduction and safety connection to mental health support in schools.
Conference speakers should plan for a one-hour engaging presentation that includes useful and tangible resources or evidence-informed practices that can be adopted and adapted in other settings. The deadline to submit a proposal is Feb. 23. The deadline to reserve an exhibition space is March 4. To reserve a table, please submit your exhibition information HERE. Questions? Please contact Kenyetta Lee or Sharon Custer.
|
Full-Funded PAX Training Dates Announced
In partnership with Nationwide Children's Hospital, the Paxis Institute has announced that more fully-funded PAX training opportunities have been made available to support school and community-based professionals throughout Ohio. This includes training in: PAX Good Behavior Game, PAX Next Steps, PAX Heroes, PAX Partner, PAX Tools Community Educator, and PAX Tools Human Services. Click HERE for a list of all training dates and registration links.
In the News...
Therapists trade the couch for the great outdoors
The New York Times, February 5, 2024
Nonprofits continue outreach a year later
Lisbon Morning Journal, February 5, 2024
Recalled supplement dubbed 'gas station heroin' linked to severe illnesses
USA Today, February 5, 2024
How is parental mental health a risk for child maltreatment?
American Academy of Pediatrics, February 5, 2024
Statewide effort responds to increase in Black youth suicide
Toledo Blade, February 4, 2024
Overdose deaths in Trumbull County post modest decline
Warren Tribune Chronicle, February 4, 2024
Saving grace: Readily available naloxone buys time for those addicted to opiates
Toledo Blade, February 4, 2024
Mental Health and Recovery Board stresses positives
Salem News, February 3, 2024
Touring panel aims to address mental health challenges among Black men
Ideastream, February 1, 2024
State Sen. Nathan Manning receives 2023 Award for Legislative Excellence
Lorain Morning-Journal, February 1, 2024
Debate over Delta-8: A closer look cannabis compound
WLWT-TV, February 1, 2024
Parts of Mahoning Valley seeing an increase in suicides
WFMJ-TV, February 1, 2024
New rule changes make telehealth and addiction treatment rules permanent
WTTE-TV, February 1, 2024
African American Male Wellness Agency addresses Black male mental health
SpectrumNews1, February 1, 2024
Melissa's House, a group home for adults with mental illness, finds new home
The Lantern, February 1, 2024
Year-round resources to make 'Dry January' count
WDTN-TV, February 1, 2024
Families joining the state in a mission to prevent suicide
WSYX-TV, January 31, 2024
Early signs of psychosis in youth mental health
Neuroscience News, January 31, 2024
Survey: Drug and alcohol use is down, but gaming is up
Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune, January 31, 2024
Ottawa County joins multi-county program to benefit foster children
The Beacon, January 30, 2024
High school kids who use marijuana, alcohol face higher risks for suicidal thoughts
HealthDay News, January 29, 2024
|
